Best Online Colleges: Online college degrees are one of the most practical and affordable ways to obtain a degree today. Online colleges offer students the flexibility to learn from home, while saving money on tuition costs. Tuition varies widely by school, with some online colleges charging more than $20,000 per year while others charge less than $5,000 per year. The best online colleges in our list have low tuition and high graduation rates, making them good value for money.
Arizona State University
Arizona State University, located in Phoenix, Arizona, is a public research university that was founded as the Territorial Normal School at Tempe on March 12, 1885. ASU offers over 300 degree programs from the bachelor’s level to doctoral degrees across its four colleges: Polytechnic; Arts and Letters; Education; and Business.
ASU has a student body of over 70,000 students with an average class size of 36 students according to College Factual (2018). The university also enrolls more than 10 international students per 1,000 students which makes it one of the most diverse campuses in America!
University of Illinois
- Location: Urbana-Champaign, Illinois
- Enrollment: 44,789
- Tuition Cost: $10,282 per year
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 22 to 1
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) is a public research university in the state capital of Illinois. The campus is located on more than 1,500 acres and was established in 1867. It is home to an undergraduate population of about 25% and an alumni population numbering nearly 200,000 people. UIUC offers over 100 bachelor’s degree programs as well as over 50 master’s degree programs and doctoral degrees through nine colleges and schools.
Liberty University
Liberty University is a private, non-profit, Christian liberal arts university. The university was founded in 1971 by Jerry Falwell. It offers more than 550 online degree programs, including bachelor’s and master’s degrees in a variety of subjects such as business administration, education, exercise science and nursing.
Western Governors University
Western Governors University (WGU) is a nonprofit, online university. It was founded by 19 U.S. governors who wanted to develop an affordable and accessible way for adults to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Since then, WGU has grown into a respected institution with over 60,000 students from all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
The tuition at WGU is significantly lower than at private universities, but it still offers high-quality programs that are 100% accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). And unlike many other online colleges and universities, graduates enjoy extremely high job placement rates—over 90% within six months of graduation!
University of Maryland
University of Maryland is a public research university founded in 1856. It has a student-to-faculty ratio of 24:1, an acceptance rate of 49.9% and a graduation rate of 40.6%. The school offers more than 100 undergraduate programs and 80 graduate programs across 16 colleges & schools.
The University is home to several academic leaders who have been recognized for their accomplishments including Dr. Dennis O’Shea (Eugene Higgins Professor) who receives funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to study Parkinson’s disease; Dr. Adam Cohen (Johns Hopkins Fellow); Dr. David Huard (Eugene Higgins Professor).
In addition to its academic programs, this institution also hosts several clubs and organizations such as: Student Government Association which allows students to be involved politically on campus; International Student Organization helps students connect with other internationals through social activities like movie nights or potlucks; Graduate Student Organization advocates for graduate students within the College Park community so they know what resources are available.; Undergraduate Research Program encourages undergraduates at all levels to find out how research works by working closely with faculty members in their field(s)
Indiana Wesleyan University
Indiana Wesleyan University is a Christian liberal arts school with an annual tuition of $20,000. It has a student-to-faculty ratio of 15:1 and offers 21 majors and 20 minors.
Indy, as it’s called by its students, has a graduation rate of 42%. The university prides itself on having “a close-knit community where you can study in small classes and enjoy the support of faculty who care about your success.” In addition to this intimate setting, students will have access to some great extracurricular activities: intramural football leagues; an outdoor recreation program that includes hiking trips; and multiple community service opportunities.
Grantham University
Grantham University is a private, for-profit university founded in 1966 by the late Dr. Robert Grantham. It has more than 60 campuses around the world, including locations in California and Nevada; Hawaii; Mexico; Portugal; Puerto Rico; and Egypt.
The school offers online degrees in business, health care (nursing), education and information technology. Some of its notable alumni include former NBA star John Salley and actress Lucy Liu.
Colorado State University Global Campus
Colorado State University Global Campus
Colorado State University Global Campus is a public institution that was founded in 2009. The school is located in Fort Collins, Colorado and has an acceptance rate of 100%. It offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees. Colorado State University Global Campus has a student-to-faculty ratio of 18:1 and an in-state tuition/fees of $7,852 for the 2017 – 2018 academic year.
Saint Leo University
Saint Leo University is a private, nonprofit institution with a main campus in Saint Leo, Florida. The university has two additional campuses in the Tampa Bay area.
Saint Leo offers all programs at its main campus and at the two additional locations: Saint Leo’s Center for Graduate Studies in South Lakeland and Saint Leo’s Online Education Center (OLEC).
The university was founded by Father Thomas Monaghan as a liberal arts college for men on September 29, 1959. New College of Florida became coeducational before merging with St. Thomas University and changing its name to Saint Thomas University in 2001; it became independent again two years later and changed its name to Trinity College of Florida until 2017 when it was acquired by Trinity Christian College (Trinity International University)
Tuition cost, enrollment, student-to-faculty ratio and graduation rates are used to rank these schools.
Tuition cost, enrollment, student-to-faculty ratio and graduation rates are used to rank these schools. Tuition is the most obvious factor when considering which online colleges offer the best value for your money. Some institutions charge a flat rate for all students while others offer per credit pricing.
Enrollment refers to how many students are currently registered at an institution. The student-to-faculty ratio measures how many students there are per instructor at an institution. Finally, graduation rates show how long it takes graduates to finish college and enter into their chosen career path or higher education program after graduating from an institution.
Why Study Online?
If you’re thinking of getting an online degree, there are many benefits to doing so. These include:
The flexibility allows you to learn on your schedule.
When you study online, you are able to learn on your own schedule. Unlike traditional classes that run at set times, online courses allow you to watch lectures whenever it’s convenient for you. You can also take breaks when needed and pick up where left off once the clock strikes 5 p.m., 8 p.m., or whatever time works best for your schedule.
You can choose where and when you study
Online learning is great because you can study from anywhere and at any time. You can also choose when you want to learn, so if your schedule changes or if something comes up in your life that slows down your progress, it’s easy to get back on track.
What are the benefits of studying online?
- Study from anywhere and at any time
- Choose the best time for you to review material or take tests
- You can pause or stop the course at any time and pick up where you left off later
It provides more opportunity for interaction and discussion.
- You can get more time to interact and discuss with your classmates.
- You can ask questions, and get answers from experts.
- You can learn from other students who have already taken the course.
Online learning allows you to interact with people all over the world, which is an advantage that traditional classroom-based programs don’t have.
You’ll save money in the long run.
If you’ve ever considered taking a course online, maybe it’s time to think about it again. Depending on your school and your major, online courses can be cheaper than in-person ones. When you factor in travel expenses, the savings really add up. And if you rent textbooks from the library rather than buying them new, you can save even more money overall.
Online learning allows you to learn at your own pace.
One of the biggest advantages of online learning is that you can learn at your own pace. If a subject is difficult for you and it’s taking longer than expected to understand, then don’t worry! You won’t have to rush through the material just so you can catch up with the class. You can take as long as necessary to master the material without worrying about missing out on important information or falling behind in class.
online learning is a great way to work towards your career goals!
If you’re passionate about a career, but want to avoid the stress of commuting and childcare, online learning can be an ideal solution. With an online degree you can work towards your career goals while still maintaining your social life and making valuable connections with others who share similar interests.
Conclusion
The above list is our pick of the best online colleges in America. The schools were chosen based on a number of criteria, including tuition cost, enrollment figures, student-to-faculty ratio and graduation rates.
